Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has revealed the Premier League's big guns
have all made enquiries about Jordan Henderson but remains confident
the highly-rated midfielder will still be at the Stadium of Light next
season.
The 20-year-old has again been linked with a summer move to
Manchester United but, although he accepts Henderson will eventually
move on, Bruce does not expect that to be for another couple of seasons
at least.
He said: "It's fair to say that all of the big managers all around
the country have asked to be kept informed if we ever decide to sell
Jordan Henderson. But I think the kid and his dad see the next couple
of seasons as the most vital for Jordan. We see it and he sees it,
which is the most important thing for me, that Sunderland is the right
club for him at this particular moment.
"There will come a time undoubtedly when he'll want to go and play
in the Champions League and want to win Champions League trophies and
further his England career. But I think, for the next couple of years
at least, this is the place for him to learn his trade.
"Where is there another 20-year-old who has played for the last 18 months in the Premier League? There aren't many."
Sunderland completed the signing of playmaker Stephane Sessegnon
from Paris St Germain and a loan deal for Inter Milan winger Sulley
Muntari over the weekend.
But they have all been overshadowed by star striker Darren Bent's move
to Aston Villa earlier this month, with Bruce frustrated in his efforts
to sign a replacement.
He said: "I'm delighted with the work we've done. I'm delighted to
bring in Sessegnon and Muntari. Of course, halfway through the window
we didn't expect the sale of Darren, and all the time we were looking
to bring in reinforcements in midfield.
"That changed our thinking a little bit but it just goes to show
how far the club has come that we can attract players from Paris St
Germain and Inter Milan to come and play here. If somebody had told me
that 18 months ago, I wouldn't have believed it.
"The progress we've made has enabled us to bring in two quality
players like those two so I think the squad is stronger in that
respect. The big problem is the loss of Darren.
"It's rocked us in that department and it's fair to say we were
looking (at strikers) but the people we've tried to bring to the club,
it hasn't been possible, so we'll just have to wait."
Bent's sale means Bruce has been left short of options up front,
with injuries to Danny Welbeck and Fraizer Campbell leaving only
Asamoah Gyan as a recognised striker, although Sessegnon can also play
in that role.
Bruce, though, is hopeful Sunderland's fine run in the Premier
League will not be jeopardised, saying: "We've only got six games in
the next eight weeks so, by the time April and May come around, where
we've got eight games, we should have the whole squad fit.
"It's not really a gamble because realistically there's nobody who
can come and be better than what we've already got at this particular
moment. A gamble would be for me to go and bring in somebody short
term, and that doesn't usually work."
Sixth-placed Sunderland welcome reigning champions Chelsea to the
Stadium of Light looking for a repeat of their stunning 3-0 victory at
Stamford Bridge in November.
Sessegnon will make his debut but former Portsmouth player Muntari
has headed back to Italy to sort out his visa so will have to wait
until Saturday's trip to Stoke.
Injuries continue to cause problems for Bruce, with Boudewijn
Zenden picking up a knee problem in training and set to join Welbeck,
Campbell, David Meyler and Michael Turner on the sidelines.
However, captain Lee Cattermole could return from a back problem and
John Mensah (ankle) is vying for a starting place after making the
bench for the 2-1 win at Blackpool nine days ago.
The Black Cats romped to a crushing 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge in
November.
With the game coming just three days after Saturday's 1-1 FA Cup
draw at Everton, boss Carlo Ancelotti was not set to decide upon his
line-up until.
"I don't think there will be many changes. The players recovered
well after the game and we don't have any new problems," he told his
club's official website.
"Sunderland are a dangerous team because above all at home they are playing well.
"They are dangerous but I think they will find a different Chelsea
from our home game but we need to do our best because to play there is
not easy."
Source: DSG